Operating Mechanism
IOC/WESTPAC is a regional subsidiary body of IOC and therefore performs its functions within the general mandate, statutes and policy of the Commission as well as within the budgetary guidelines established by the Assembly. The Twelfth Session of the IOC Assembly approved the basic Terms of Reference for IOC/WESTPAC and other Sub-Commissions in the "Guidelines for the Structure and Responsibilities of IOC Sub-Commissions".
Those Guidelines state the basic functions as follows: "Regional Sub-Commissions are intergovernmental subsidiary bodies of IOC, responsible for the promotion, development and coordination of the marine scientific research programmes, the ocean services and related activities, including Training, Education, and Mutual Assistance (TEMA) in their respective regions. In establishing their programmes, they should take into account the specific interests and needs of the Member States in the region. In carrying out the above work, it is mandatory that regional Sub-Commissions collaborate closely with IOC's subsidiary bodies concerned with global activities within their field of competence".
To meet regional problems the Sub-Commission's role was to facilitate information exchange and transfer of knowledge, identify training, education and mutual assistance needs and promote the required activities to meet those needs. The Sub-Commission was to make recommendations and proposals to the Commission and was to serve as a mechanism for the formulation, evaluation and follow-up of projects aimed at strengthening national capabilities in marine scientific research. Common institutions, services and facilities were to be established in collaboration with other UN and regional bodies. In the process of carrying out these activities, the Sub-Commission could form task teams and groups of experts and carry out technical meetings.